Biography

Continued his pedigree in the Major Championships by finishing tied tenth in the US Open Championship in 2009, while he also finished tenth in the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. Finished second in the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am which meant he just missed out on a ninth US PGA Tour victory which would have seen him overtake George Knudson as the most prolific Canadian winner on the US PGA Tour. Highlight of his career came in 2003 when he became only the second left-hander to win a Major Championship when he won the Masters Tournament, 40 years after Bob Charles won The Open Championship. That select group has subsequently grown to three with the inclusion of Phil Mickelson. It was also the first Major Championship victory by a Canadian. As a 13 year old, wrote to Jack Nicklaus seeking advice as to whether he should switch to playing right handed. Nicklaus recommended that he stick to his natural swing. Three-time recipient (2000, 2001 and 2003) of the Lionel Conacher Award, given to Canada’s Male Athlete of the Year. First golfer to be so honoured since 1932.